I find it interesting that sometimes we are accused of bitterness for not forgiving an unrepentant heart, but the one who sins and lives in rebellion refusing to confess and turn is hailed as the victim.
It is psychology that has perpetrated this falsehood on the world. The devil knows that when someone is not required to be accountable for their life or actions they will only grow worse.
Ignoring sin does not make it go away, facing it, confessing it and resolving to be cleansed by Christ will remove sin.
This is classic narcissism in our world: pamper the one who has done terrible things and is not sorry while pressuring and demeaning the one who will attempt to hold the evil person accountable.
Think about it!!!
Isaiah 26: 10-11 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD. 11 O LORD, Your hand is upraised, but they do not see it. They will see Your zeal for Your people, and be put to shame. The fire set for Your enemies will consume them!…"
Proverbs 24:1 "1 Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; 2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.…"
Romans 16:17
"Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them."
1 Corinthians 5:11
"But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one."
Psalm 26:4
"I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with pretenders."
The challenge today is to ask ourselves if we are seeking Christ and reading His word for His truth?
Friday, November 30, 2018
Advise to Fellow Believers
What should the response be when a fellow Christian advises someone to quit smoking because it dishonors God?
Just recently a woman told me she is a good mother because she is teaching her children not to smoke. She smokes herself but tells them not to do what she does.
My response to her was that when we do something that we tell others not to do we are a hypocrite.
Matthew 7:4-5 "…4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
Not only was this woman flying in the face of God's word she was teachingt her children far more by actions than by words.
"More is caught than taught" is a saying we might want to pay close attention to, since the realization that we are more powerful in our actions than our words makes a big difference in how we live our lives.
Titus 2:7
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,"
As I muddled through the conversation frustrated that the attacks against me had nothing to do with what I was trying to convey, but all about how "mean" I was in saying it. The way I said it was not mean, just that I said it at all incurred her wrath.
I was not mean, I didn't call names nor did I accuse her of bad character, I simply repeated the words of God. Showing her the difference between the lack of power of words and the power of example.
Not only did this woman use filthy language to show her disdain for me, she also proclaimed loudly the people she knew that were godly. She told me of her relatives that were preachers and missionaries while stating boldly "you don't know who I am" as though knowing all those people made her special. She claimed to be a Christian herself.
I stated that I didn't care who she knew, I was only concerned about the discussion at hand.
Then the real attacks came, her friend on the thread derided me for my delivery saying nothing about the filthy language or smoking of the other woman. They commiserated with one another at my brashness and lack of love, while they were displaying these things and I was not.
The other woman in the discussion who was upholding and pampering the smoker, was demonstratively compassionate toward the smoker as though she were a victim of her addiction rather than having made a choice.
This is common now in the church. Those who tell the truth unreservedly will be personally attacked while the message is ignored completely.
Any challenge at all no matter how mild will be met with hostility.
It is absolutely classic that those who are rebellious and are convinced they are special people will not hear a correction or rebuke.
After all that in the discussion, when I did not retaliate in any way, just quoting scripture, this woman returned to say that she believed her thyroid condition may cause her to be cranky, no mention of her bad habit or her filthy language. Then she regressed even further into excuses stating that maybe our genes from our ancestors caused us to act certain ways.
Once again the truth burned within me, the Holy Spirit could not remain silent. Making excuses that make others at fault for our own sins is also classic narcissism.
Explaining that when we get before God we will not be asked who else made us do something, I added more scripture. We will stand before the Lord by ourselves without excuses for our behavior. We will not be allowed to blame others for our sins.
This set the bomb for another attack. Once again those simple words of truth ignited a fire storm of attack against me for being so harsh. No mention at all about "what" I said only that I said it at all.
Everyday I run into more and more people who demonstrate their psychological bent who think that all their own sins were someone else's fault.
It was interesting to me that the woman didn't consider it a sin to smoke, but just a bad choice. The sin of addiction to anything is clearly mentioned in the Bible. The way anyone begins smoking is to show off for their friends to fit into the culture. Generally it all starts at the bars. Sadly, perhaps the showing off is over, someone grows up and is not showing off anymore but now they are addicted, an equally sinful condition.
It is also sinful to defend those who are in sin to spare their feelings. When we do not speak truth to help someone overcome an addiction then we are a willing partner in their sin.
Proverbs 27:17
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
We are to hold our brothers and sisters accountable for one another's lives. We are to help them in their journey toward holiness.
James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Those who will not confess their sin in defiance of God's Word will see the consequences of that defiance.
James 5:19-20
"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Satan has taken over the modern church through the lies of psychology that do not permit accountability or even caring God's way.
A narcissist sees a correction or rebuke as a personal attack. It is my opinion that someone who cannot be corrected by a Christian brother or sister will not stand correction by God. Their heart is stubborn and God will have to bring harder and harder trials to get this person's attention.
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
When there is denial of accountability and resistance to correction, there is rebellion that prevents any spiritual growth If the resistance persists then there is regression.
It is my observation that most people in our world today are not born again. Those who are born again and have a besetting sin will be ashamed, not angry and vengeful, but ashamed.
Jeremiah 6:14-15 "…14 They have dressed the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all. 15 Were they ashamed of the abomination they committed? No, they were not at all ashamed. They did not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD."
Those who enable the one who sins participates in their rebellion. These enablers have no help for those they encourage in their sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
When someone is caught in an addiction they are not only involved in the addiction itself, they are examples for all others around them, they are denying the need to be delivered, therefore they deny Christ no matter what their words say.
When we deny Christ by refusing to stop the sin we are saying the following things without a word:
"I don't care what God thinks"
"I will not ask God to help me become delivered"
"I don't care what kind of an example I am to others."
"I don't care that I am defiling the temple of God.
"I don't care that this addiction will one day cause me illness and distress.
"I don't care that others will have to take care of me when my body reacts violently to the poison of this habit.
When we love people God's way it is far more important that we support them in seeking holiness than it is to make them feel momentarily happy. The love of God has nothing to do with feelings it has to do with truth. Feelings are a by product of stimuli, they are often wrong and based on self exaltation. Facts and truth are what help people to overcome that which keeps them captive.
Here is how it all could have sounded;
"oh my goodness, I never thought of all that, thank you for sharing, I will pray to be delivered."
Wow what a difference that would have made in the smokers life.
Just recently a woman told me she is a good mother because she is teaching her children not to smoke. She smokes herself but tells them not to do what she does.
My response to her was that when we do something that we tell others not to do we are a hypocrite.
Matthew 7:4-5 "…4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
Not only was this woman flying in the face of God's word she was teachingt her children far more by actions than by words.
"More is caught than taught" is a saying we might want to pay close attention to, since the realization that we are more powerful in our actions than our words makes a big difference in how we live our lives.
Titus 2:7
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,"
As I muddled through the conversation frustrated that the attacks against me had nothing to do with what I was trying to convey, but all about how "mean" I was in saying it. The way I said it was not mean, just that I said it at all incurred her wrath.
I was not mean, I didn't call names nor did I accuse her of bad character, I simply repeated the words of God. Showing her the difference between the lack of power of words and the power of example.
Not only did this woman use filthy language to show her disdain for me, she also proclaimed loudly the people she knew that were godly. She told me of her relatives that were preachers and missionaries while stating boldly "you don't know who I am" as though knowing all those people made her special. She claimed to be a Christian herself.
I stated that I didn't care who she knew, I was only concerned about the discussion at hand.
Then the real attacks came, her friend on the thread derided me for my delivery saying nothing about the filthy language or smoking of the other woman. They commiserated with one another at my brashness and lack of love, while they were displaying these things and I was not.
The other woman in the discussion who was upholding and pampering the smoker, was demonstratively compassionate toward the smoker as though she were a victim of her addiction rather than having made a choice.
This is common now in the church. Those who tell the truth unreservedly will be personally attacked while the message is ignored completely.
Any challenge at all no matter how mild will be met with hostility.
It is absolutely classic that those who are rebellious and are convinced they are special people will not hear a correction or rebuke.
After all that in the discussion, when I did not retaliate in any way, just quoting scripture, this woman returned to say that she believed her thyroid condition may cause her to be cranky, no mention of her bad habit or her filthy language. Then she regressed even further into excuses stating that maybe our genes from our ancestors caused us to act certain ways.
Once again the truth burned within me, the Holy Spirit could not remain silent. Making excuses that make others at fault for our own sins is also classic narcissism.
Explaining that when we get before God we will not be asked who else made us do something, I added more scripture. We will stand before the Lord by ourselves without excuses for our behavior. We will not be allowed to blame others for our sins.
This set the bomb for another attack. Once again those simple words of truth ignited a fire storm of attack against me for being so harsh. No mention at all about "what" I said only that I said it at all.
Everyday I run into more and more people who demonstrate their psychological bent who think that all their own sins were someone else's fault.
It was interesting to me that the woman didn't consider it a sin to smoke, but just a bad choice. The sin of addiction to anything is clearly mentioned in the Bible. The way anyone begins smoking is to show off for their friends to fit into the culture. Generally it all starts at the bars. Sadly, perhaps the showing off is over, someone grows up and is not showing off anymore but now they are addicted, an equally sinful condition.
It is also sinful to defend those who are in sin to spare their feelings. When we do not speak truth to help someone overcome an addiction then we are a willing partner in their sin.
Proverbs 27:17
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
We are to hold our brothers and sisters accountable for one another's lives. We are to help them in their journey toward holiness.
James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Those who will not confess their sin in defiance of God's Word will see the consequences of that defiance.
James 5:19-20
"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Satan has taken over the modern church through the lies of psychology that do not permit accountability or even caring God's way.
A narcissist sees a correction or rebuke as a personal attack. It is my opinion that someone who cannot be corrected by a Christian brother or sister will not stand correction by God. Their heart is stubborn and God will have to bring harder and harder trials to get this person's attention.
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
When there is denial of accountability and resistance to correction, there is rebellion that prevents any spiritual growth If the resistance persists then there is regression.
It is my observation that most people in our world today are not born again. Those who are born again and have a besetting sin will be ashamed, not angry and vengeful, but ashamed.
Jeremiah 6:14-15 "…14 They have dressed the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all. 15 Were they ashamed of the abomination they committed? No, they were not at all ashamed. They did not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD."
Those who enable the one who sins participates in their rebellion. These enablers have no help for those they encourage in their sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
When someone is caught in an addiction they are not only involved in the addiction itself, they are examples for all others around them, they are denying the need to be delivered, therefore they deny Christ no matter what their words say.
When we deny Christ by refusing to stop the sin we are saying the following things without a word:
"I don't care what God thinks"
"I will not ask God to help me become delivered"
"I don't care what kind of an example I am to others."
"I don't care that I am defiling the temple of God.
"I don't care that this addiction will one day cause me illness and distress.
"I don't care that others will have to take care of me when my body reacts violently to the poison of this habit.
When we love people God's way it is far more important that we support them in seeking holiness than it is to make them feel momentarily happy. The love of God has nothing to do with feelings it has to do with truth. Feelings are a by product of stimuli, they are often wrong and based on self exaltation. Facts and truth are what help people to overcome that which keeps them captive.
Here is how it all could have sounded;
"oh my goodness, I never thought of all that, thank you for sharing, I will pray to be delivered."
Wow what a difference that would have made in the smokers life.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Use the Rest of the Verse Too
Eileen Heuston said this: It makes good sense!!!
"Has anyone realized how often we hear quoted "...resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7) but how we almost never hear the first part quoted: "SUBMIT yourselves to God". Is it maybe cos folk want the devil to leave them alone but are not keen on submitting their lives i.e their wills, thoughts and actions to God?"
"Has anyone realized how often we hear quoted "...resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7) but how we almost never hear the first part quoted: "SUBMIT yourselves to God". Is it maybe cos folk want the devil to leave them alone but are not keen on submitting their lives i.e their wills, thoughts and actions to God?"
When the Devil Accuses
"When the devil reminds you of your past sins, remind him of his future."
Irwin Lutzer
There are those who will accuse us of our past sins because we preach against sin, as though if someone had ever sinned they have no right to speak against it now
God never said not to confront people on their sin. He told us to be sure we have the log out of our own eye first then we can go to the brother who is sinning.
Most people leave off the "then you can take the speak out of your brother's eye."
Modern psychology has managed to brainwash an entire country into believing we should never speak to others about a problem in their life. This is patently unbiblical.
Correction has been made to seem mean and everything must be cloaked in flattery and praise if it is said at all. It has been my experience that bold talk brings out the real person.
A person can continue to be phony when they are flattered, but the real them emerges when we speak truth without reservation.
As I was in discussion with someone this person didn't like my correction. Within a few minutes of the discussion she spewed out some filthy language, showing me her inner heart . A born again believer does not speak filthy words.
Sometimes the best way to get the real self to emerge is to challenge someone on their actions or belief. Even done in the mildest terms a challenge angers the one who is engaging in pretense.
Once the pretense is done away with we can see if this person is teachable or whether or not they are a kindred spirit.
Just a thought, let the Holy Spirit guide as we obey Him.
Irwin Lutzer
There are those who will accuse us of our past sins because we preach against sin, as though if someone had ever sinned they have no right to speak against it now
God never said not to confront people on their sin. He told us to be sure we have the log out of our own eye first then we can go to the brother who is sinning.
Most people leave off the "then you can take the speak out of your brother's eye."
Modern psychology has managed to brainwash an entire country into believing we should never speak to others about a problem in their life. This is patently unbiblical.
Correction has been made to seem mean and everything must be cloaked in flattery and praise if it is said at all. It has been my experience that bold talk brings out the real person.
A person can continue to be phony when they are flattered, but the real them emerges when we speak truth without reservation.
As I was in discussion with someone this person didn't like my correction. Within a few minutes of the discussion she spewed out some filthy language, showing me her inner heart . A born again believer does not speak filthy words.
Sometimes the best way to get the real self to emerge is to challenge someone on their actions or belief. Even done in the mildest terms a challenge angers the one who is engaging in pretense.
Once the pretense is done away with we can see if this person is teachable or whether or not they are a kindred spirit.
Just a thought, let the Holy Spirit guide as we obey Him.
The Modern Christian Response to Correction
Lord have mercy!!!!
They always do this, whenever we speak boldly about something someone is doing or their need for correction, we are accused of not saying it right.
Just because someone didn't like what we said does not mean we said it badly.
This is the work of psychology to assume someone said something in a mean way simply because the hearer got angry.
People are not dogs who respond to stimuli automatically. Dogs respond to discipline and correction with humility and love you anyway, even if they don't like the correction. They even modify their behavior to please their owner.
Human beings are not like that, they bite, growl and attack anyone who dares to point out a flaw. It is interesting that they will call us mean spirited for speaking truth but when they perceive a slight in us they are free to spew out all kinds of venom.
This is the world we live in. Those who are being chastised to learn refuse to listen. They refuse to even ponder what is said unless it is bathed in flattery and praise.
Proverbs 29:5
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."
Proverbs 26:24-28
"Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
They always do this, whenever we speak boldly about something someone is doing or their need for correction, we are accused of not saying it right.
Just because someone didn't like what we said does not mean we said it badly.
This is the work of psychology to assume someone said something in a mean way simply because the hearer got angry.
People are not dogs who respond to stimuli automatically. Dogs respond to discipline and correction with humility and love you anyway, even if they don't like the correction. They even modify their behavior to please their owner.
Human beings are not like that, they bite, growl and attack anyone who dares to point out a flaw. It is interesting that they will call us mean spirited for speaking truth but when they perceive a slight in us they are free to spew out all kinds of venom.
This is the world we live in. Those who are being chastised to learn refuse to listen. They refuse to even ponder what is said unless it is bathed in flattery and praise.
Proverbs 29:5
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."
Proverbs 26:24-28
"Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
Only God's Love Matters
Our world no longer knows what love looks like. Worldly love is based on feelings rather than facts.
Love motivates us to do what is best for others not necessarily what they would like.
Fact: those who do not trust in Christ are going to hell.
Feelings: everyone is going to heaven because we feel they should.
John 3:1-8
"3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Love motivates us to do what is best for others not necessarily what they would like.
Fact: those who do not trust in Christ are going to hell.
Feelings: everyone is going to heaven because we feel they should.
John 3:1-8
"3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Gossipers Love to Ruin Those They Cannot Control
Just as gossipers in the media malign another human being through half truths and out and out lies, so do the gossipers in a family malign their favored targets with the same.
We see the way in which the media uses half truths and spins it to seem bad or far worse than what transpired. This can happen in families and communities as well
When we share with a trusted friend something that happened to us personally, that is not gossip. However it is gossip when someone takes a flying guess about what they think is going on in someone's life without evidence and with great glee as to how that target may be failing in life.
Gossip is very serious to God especially when it is aimed at His children.
2 Corinthians 12:20 "20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder."
Exodus 23:1 "1 “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness."
The definition of gossip is the reporting of something about others we did not experience or witness ourselves to someone who has no need to know.
Always gossip is designed to diminish the worth and well being of the one being gossiped about.
So here's the rule: If you have heard something about me that disturbs you, then you are responsible to come to me and ask me my side of the story. Unless of course you know me well enough to know it is not true, then you have a responsibility to ignore it, even chastise the person telling you and forget what you heard.
Too often reputations are maligned and even ruined by gossip that has no basis in fact. These attempts to ruin another person says more about the gossiper than it does about the one who is the target of the half truths. And, believe me when I say all gossip is based in half truths, making the gossip whole lies.
Sharing a personal experience with a trusted friend is far different from guessing what one thinks might be truth and passing it to others to diminish their relationship with the one gossiped about.
Shame on those who must elevate self through gossip to undermine someone else.
We see the way in which the media uses half truths and spins it to seem bad or far worse than what transpired. This can happen in families and communities as well
When we share with a trusted friend something that happened to us personally, that is not gossip. However it is gossip when someone takes a flying guess about what they think is going on in someone's life without evidence and with great glee as to how that target may be failing in life.
Gossip is very serious to God especially when it is aimed at His children.
2 Corinthians 12:20 "20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder."
Exodus 23:1 "1 “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness."
The definition of gossip is the reporting of something about others we did not experience or witness ourselves to someone who has no need to know.
Always gossip is designed to diminish the worth and well being of the one being gossiped about.
So here's the rule: If you have heard something about me that disturbs you, then you are responsible to come to me and ask me my side of the story. Unless of course you know me well enough to know it is not true, then you have a responsibility to ignore it, even chastise the person telling you and forget what you heard.
Too often reputations are maligned and even ruined by gossip that has no basis in fact. These attempts to ruin another person says more about the gossiper than it does about the one who is the target of the half truths. And, believe me when I say all gossip is based in half truths, making the gossip whole lies.
Sharing a personal experience with a trusted friend is far different from guessing what one thinks might be truth and passing it to others to diminish their relationship with the one gossiped about.
Shame on those who must elevate self through gossip to undermine someone else.
No Authority Given by God is Above God
I don't doubt that there are women who are rebellious and will fight against that which they need not fight. I have been maligned by extremists who call me rebellious because I am a woman writing about God on facebook.
These people believe women are to be seen and not heard. I know this is a falsehood that appeals to narcissistic men who are control freaks.
Men are the leaders in their homes and at the church gathering, but leading is far different from dictating and oppressing the talents and gifts of the Holy Spirit in women.
1 Peter 5:1-5 "5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Sadly there are more sermons on women submitting than there are on men learning how to lead God's way.
No where in the word does God tell men to lead by intimidation, mocking or manipulation.
God tells the women to submit as they are led by God. He never tells the men to force or demean the women.
When women are treated like children as if they are brainless they tend to react to that. Women have much to offer the fellowship in the roll God has given them. In fact they are counselors to the men just as the vice president is to the president. To eliminate one part of the body as irrelevant because they are not an eye or a foot, as the scriptures say, is to negate the callings of God in every believer.
1 Corinthians 12:14-16 "…14 For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body."
These parts of the body of Christ are not only men, these are all believing women.
I have been told I usurp the authority of my husband by speaking about the things of God. I do not usurp him, rather I seek to enhance his work by the wisdom God has given me. He approves of what I do.
There was a time when others tried to interfere in our marriage by approaching him to chastise me for speaking about the things of God.
God said that it was not good that man be alone, the reason is that there is safety in more than one perspective. Of course this presupposes that both the man and the woman are seeking Christ.
When one is seeking Christ and the other is not then the one who follows Christ must remain faithful to Christ, whether that believer is a man or a woman. The believer must always suffer for following Christ.
Romans 5:3-5
"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
The scriptures here have been given to me too, the woman. They have been given to ALL believers. Even children who are born again may be asked by unbelieving parents to do something evil. The child that has been told to do something evil must refuse to do it and even go to the authorities to discipline the parents.
No authority given by God is above God!
These people believe women are to be seen and not heard. I know this is a falsehood that appeals to narcissistic men who are control freaks.
Men are the leaders in their homes and at the church gathering, but leading is far different from dictating and oppressing the talents and gifts of the Holy Spirit in women.
1 Peter 5:1-5 "5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Sadly there are more sermons on women submitting than there are on men learning how to lead God's way.
No where in the word does God tell men to lead by intimidation, mocking or manipulation.
God tells the women to submit as they are led by God. He never tells the men to force or demean the women.
When women are treated like children as if they are brainless they tend to react to that. Women have much to offer the fellowship in the roll God has given them. In fact they are counselors to the men just as the vice president is to the president. To eliminate one part of the body as irrelevant because they are not an eye or a foot, as the scriptures say, is to negate the callings of God in every believer.
1 Corinthians 12:14-16 "…14 For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body."
These parts of the body of Christ are not only men, these are all believing women.
I have been told I usurp the authority of my husband by speaking about the things of God. I do not usurp him, rather I seek to enhance his work by the wisdom God has given me. He approves of what I do.
There was a time when others tried to interfere in our marriage by approaching him to chastise me for speaking about the things of God.
God said that it was not good that man be alone, the reason is that there is safety in more than one perspective. Of course this presupposes that both the man and the woman are seeking Christ.
When one is seeking Christ and the other is not then the one who follows Christ must remain faithful to Christ, whether that believer is a man or a woman. The believer must always suffer for following Christ.
Romans 5:3-5
"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
The scriptures here have been given to me too, the woman. They have been given to ALL believers. Even children who are born again may be asked by unbelieving parents to do something evil. The child that has been told to do something evil must refuse to do it and even go to the authorities to discipline the parents.
No authority given by God is above God!
Resist the Evil!
So should a wife obey her husband no matter what? If a husband asks his wife to shoot the neighbor because he doesn't like him, she should shoot the neighbor?
We are to obey our husbands if what they are asking does not disobey God. Absolute obedience to any human is to deny God. We must obey God first if the husband will not.
If the husband tells the wife to watch porn movies with him, she is to decline, even taking step to keep it out of the house. God gave the homemaking domain to the wife, she is to protect her home from evil. If her husband will not then she must.
To follow the husband to disobey God is to make the husband the god over her. The husband is the leader but he is not sovereign. Sometimes the wife must say no to evil to follow Christ.
There are those who use the scripture that says that Sarah called her husband "Lord."
I will never call anyone "Lord" that is reserved for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just because someone in the word said something does not mean we are all commanded to do it.
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, does that mean we should all do that?
Sapphirah should have disobeyed her husband, but they collaborated together to lie. If she had been a good wife she would have refused and he might have changed his mind allowing them both to live.
I have actually heard men advice a godly woman to watch porn with her unsaved husband because she should obey her husband. This thinking is a perversion of God's command to obey our husbands.
Never obey a husband when he wants you to commit a crime, an indecent act or any other thing that dishonors and disobeys God.
Acts 5:29
"29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
The apostles made it clear that if the authorities over us command us to do evil we are to resist and decline.
We have been given charge over the home, we are the keepers of that home. This means that if anyone attempts to bring evil into it we are to resist the evil.
We are to obey our husbands if what they are asking does not disobey God. Absolute obedience to any human is to deny God. We must obey God first if the husband will not.
If the husband tells the wife to watch porn movies with him, she is to decline, even taking step to keep it out of the house. God gave the homemaking domain to the wife, she is to protect her home from evil. If her husband will not then she must.
To follow the husband to disobey God is to make the husband the god over her. The husband is the leader but he is not sovereign. Sometimes the wife must say no to evil to follow Christ.
There are those who use the scripture that says that Sarah called her husband "Lord."
I will never call anyone "Lord" that is reserved for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just because someone in the word said something does not mean we are all commanded to do it.
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, does that mean we should all do that?
Sapphirah should have disobeyed her husband, but they collaborated together to lie. If she had been a good wife she would have refused and he might have changed his mind allowing them both to live.
I have actually heard men advice a godly woman to watch porn with her unsaved husband because she should obey her husband. This thinking is a perversion of God's command to obey our husbands.
Never obey a husband when he wants you to commit a crime, an indecent act or any other thing that dishonors and disobeys God.
Acts 5:29
"29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
The apostles made it clear that if the authorities over us command us to do evil we are to resist and decline.
We have been given charge over the home, we are the keepers of that home. This means that if anyone attempts to bring evil into it we are to resist the evil.
Animal Rights vs Rights of the Unborn
The animal rights movement is a religion that places animals above people.
Never once have I seen an animal rights person speak of human rights or the rights of the unborn.
Babies are being ripped apart in their mothers womb in the most tortuous way possible while they live and yet I hear not one word from the animal rights people
If animals were being ripped apart by their owners in this tortured way while they were still alive you would see these animal rights people protesting and shouting to stop the carnage. But they have not one word for the unborn babies. This is happening every single day to the tune of 4000 innocents!!!!
Do you see what I mean when the world has gone mad into complete irrationality ?
Some of those animal rights people have had abortions, this is hypocrisy to defend the safety of animals while ripping apart the babies.
Never once have I seen an animal rights person speak of human rights or the rights of the unborn.
Babies are being ripped apart in their mothers womb in the most tortuous way possible while they live and yet I hear not one word from the animal rights people
If animals were being ripped apart by their owners in this tortured way while they were still alive you would see these animal rights people protesting and shouting to stop the carnage. But they have not one word for the unborn babies. This is happening every single day to the tune of 4000 innocents!!!!
Do you see what I mean when the world has gone mad into complete irrationality ?
Some of those animal rights people have had abortions, this is hypocrisy to defend the safety of animals while ripping apart the babies.
God's Got Our Backs
If they don't like "what" you say, no matter how calmly you say it, they will accuse you of being rude. That's how it works for the narcissist.
The narcissist cannot stand truth that exposes their sinfulness. Their only defense against what they believe is an attack is to rage and punish anyone who dares to tell them the truth.
Any correction of any sort is perceived as a personal attack to these rebellious self righteous ones.
Do not be intimidated by this believers! Simply speak truth as led by the Holy Spirit and leave their response to God. God has our back and all the answers too!
Proverbs 29:10-12 "…10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life. 11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.…"
The narcissist cannot stand truth that exposes their sinfulness. Their only defense against what they believe is an attack is to rage and punish anyone who dares to tell them the truth.
Any correction of any sort is perceived as a personal attack to these rebellious self righteous ones.
Do not be intimidated by this believers! Simply speak truth as led by the Holy Spirit and leave their response to God. God has our back and all the answers too!
Proverbs 29:10-12 "…10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life. 11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.…"
For You Wendy: And anyone else who is interested:
"The more I studied God's word and the more I know about the "narcissist" as described in 2 Timothy 3, the more I realized that our delivery has little to do with the response from the hearer.
The response from the hearer reveals their own heart. It won't matter how we deliver a message, no matter how mild or friendly, if the hearer doesn't want to hear it they will rage in response to what they perceive in their own mind as an attack.
The response from the hearer reveals their own heart. It won't matter how we deliver a message, no matter how mild or friendly, if the hearer doesn't want to hear it they will rage in response to what they perceive in their own mind as an attack.
Let the Holy Spirit Speak Through You
I was once told we should say things in a way that others will be receive it.
The more I studied God's word and the more I know about the "narcissist" as described in 2 Timothy 3, the more I realized that our delivery has little to do with the response from the hearer.
The response from the hearer reveals their own heart. It won't matter how we deliver a message, no matter how mild or friendly, if the hearer doesn't want to hear it they will rage in response to what they perceive in their own mind as an attack.
The Holy Spirit gives us what to say and how to say it. Some people need a gentle delivery and others need a strong rebuke. God tells us this in His word.
We do not have to figure out which is need in each encounter, we only have to be led by the Holy Spirit
Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."
An open rebuke is a show of love, when we will not rebuke when it is necessary then we are withholding love.
1 Timothy 5:20
"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
The world preaches love, the apostate church preaches love, but they don't know what it looks like. They think love is all about making people feel happy and accepted.
God says love is many things, it is encouragement through instruction, it is correction to resolve problems. The world wants to define love as giving someone whatever they want to please them. God says love is imparting to the hearer what will help them live holy and righteous lives. There is no greater benefit to the hearer than truth told that will give them God's peace through obedience to Him.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
James 5:20
"Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Luke 17:3-4
"Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
The goal of the believer ought to be to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit to speak truth God's way for the edifying of the saints and for the salvation of those who do not yet know Him,.
This is God's love, it snatches people from the fires of hell and brings glorious peace and joy to those who have trusted in Him.
Encouragement is not praise and it is not flattery as so many people in the apostate system have believed.
Far too many people have been praised and flattered as they continue in laziness and rebellion. They are told they did a good job when they did little or nothing that brought solutions.
I witnessed a young mother who told her small so to tie his shoes. She railed and railed at him for not doing it right. Then she praised him ad nauseam when he finally go it. She goowed with such intensity I thought I was going to be sick.
Here's what encouragement looks like: "Son tie your shoes so we can get going." When the son ties his shoes, calmly look at him and say; "good let's go." Praising incessantly for a job well done embarrasses the child as well as everyone around the encounter.
There are those who count themselves as good mothers for their constant praise and adulation over the smallest matters.
Notice in the word of God we see the instruction from God, the result of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. We never see continual praise heaped on anyone.
Constant flattery and praise only creates expectation of it and resentment when it is no excessive.
Proverbs 1:23
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
We wonder why narcissism is growing when the culture destroys children with flattery and praise. When a child has been raised with excessive praise, flattery and attention they tend to believe they deserve it all the time and that everyone else should treat them this way too.
When we are attempting to figure out how to talk to someone so they won't be mad at us, we are making them more important than Christ is to us.
When we think we must figure out the right way to talk to someone we are not trusting Christ to speak through us.
All that is necessary in our witnessing is to know the Word of God well and trust the Holy Spirit to use our mouth.
2 Timothy 3:16
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,"
Revelation 3:19
"Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."
Matthew 10:19 "19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. 20 For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.…"
The bottom line is that most Christians in our day give no trust in the Holy Spirit. They are living in the flesh for their witnessing and even for their daily lives while wondering why their prayers are not answered.
Isaiah 1:15-16 " 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!…"
It is sinful to trust in ourselves for delivery of a message. God will not hear the prayers of those who do not desire the counsel and working of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
The more I studied God's word and the more I know about the "narcissist" as described in 2 Timothy 3, the more I realized that our delivery has little to do with the response from the hearer.
The response from the hearer reveals their own heart. It won't matter how we deliver a message, no matter how mild or friendly, if the hearer doesn't want to hear it they will rage in response to what they perceive in their own mind as an attack.
The Holy Spirit gives us what to say and how to say it. Some people need a gentle delivery and others need a strong rebuke. God tells us this in His word.
We do not have to figure out which is need in each encounter, we only have to be led by the Holy Spirit
Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."
An open rebuke is a show of love, when we will not rebuke when it is necessary then we are withholding love.
1 Timothy 5:20
"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
The world preaches love, the apostate church preaches love, but they don't know what it looks like. They think love is all about making people feel happy and accepted.
God says love is many things, it is encouragement through instruction, it is correction to resolve problems. The world wants to define love as giving someone whatever they want to please them. God says love is imparting to the hearer what will help them live holy and righteous lives. There is no greater benefit to the hearer than truth told that will give them God's peace through obedience to Him.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
James 5:20
"Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Luke 17:3-4
"Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
The goal of the believer ought to be to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit to speak truth God's way for the edifying of the saints and for the salvation of those who do not yet know Him,.
This is God's love, it snatches people from the fires of hell and brings glorious peace and joy to those who have trusted in Him.
Encouragement is not praise and it is not flattery as so many people in the apostate system have believed.
Far too many people have been praised and flattered as they continue in laziness and rebellion. They are told they did a good job when they did little or nothing that brought solutions.
I witnessed a young mother who told her small so to tie his shoes. She railed and railed at him for not doing it right. Then she praised him ad nauseam when he finally go it. She goowed with such intensity I thought I was going to be sick.
Here's what encouragement looks like: "Son tie your shoes so we can get going." When the son ties his shoes, calmly look at him and say; "good let's go." Praising incessantly for a job well done embarrasses the child as well as everyone around the encounter.
There are those who count themselves as good mothers for their constant praise and adulation over the smallest matters.
Notice in the word of God we see the instruction from God, the result of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. We never see continual praise heaped on anyone.
Constant flattery and praise only creates expectation of it and resentment when it is no excessive.
Proverbs 1:23
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
We wonder why narcissism is growing when the culture destroys children with flattery and praise. When a child has been raised with excessive praise, flattery and attention they tend to believe they deserve it all the time and that everyone else should treat them this way too.
When we are attempting to figure out how to talk to someone so they won't be mad at us, we are making them more important than Christ is to us.
When we think we must figure out the right way to talk to someone we are not trusting Christ to speak through us.
All that is necessary in our witnessing is to know the Word of God well and trust the Holy Spirit to use our mouth.
2 Timothy 3:16
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,"
Revelation 3:19
"Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."
Matthew 10:19 "19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. 20 For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.…"
The bottom line is that most Christians in our day give no trust in the Holy Spirit. They are living in the flesh for their witnessing and even for their daily lives while wondering why their prayers are not answered.
Isaiah 1:15-16 " 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!…"
It is sinful to trust in ourselves for delivery of a message. God will not hear the prayers of those who do not desire the counsel and working of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Monday, November 26, 2018
A Wildly Sin Sick World!
We live in a wildly sin sick and narcissistic world now. So much so that it feels like a nightmare that we cannot wake up from.
In recent years I run into many people who will say they are Christians but know little about the Bible, worse than that they don't want to know God's mind.
I have encountered people who declare decisively that they are against the killing of animals. These same people eat hamburgers at the fast food restaurant and turkey on the holidays but decry the use of them by others. This is called hypocrisy.
There have also been people who claim to be against killing animals while they are adamantly pro-abortion. These same people tend to be for gun control, claiming that guns are the problem.
It never works to have words alone. One can say they are against murder and allow for the killing of innocent babies who have done nothing to deserve this torturous means of unjust execution.
Some of these people are against smoking because it is bad for their bodies but will use drugs such as pot, which is smoking.
Then there are those who "say" smoking is bad for them but they keep doing it as though they are wise by saying so even though they will not quite. The truth is that a wise person quits what they know to be harmful.
The foolish person says something is bad but continues it. It has been my experience that those who "say" what they are going to do but never do it are lying. They think saying something makes them wise without any needed change in behavior.
There are many Christians who employ the tactic of speaking without actions. They think they will impress people with their words even if their words do not match their actions.
In our disordered and irrational culture right now this mentality of speaking and not engaging in change is acceptable. It is called encouragement when we praise someone up and down for merely saying something. This is not encouragement, it is in fact enabling.
Encouragement would be to expect the one who speaks to act what they speak.
Enabling is the way of this culture now. Correction is the new hate speech. Accountability is seen as mean and judgmental. Sadly, they do not understand that its the accountability and correction that helps those who are seeking solutions to make improvements and strides in their life.
Those who speak the things of God but will not obey Him, make no strides in holiness nor do they improve their life in general. In fact these people regress rather than grow. The further they regress the more hardened they become, even unable to hear truth and sensibleness.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
Proverbs 10:18-20 "…18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.…"
Ecclesiastes 5:3
"For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words."
Proverbs 13:3
"The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."
Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
These days we have more people listening to the counsel of fools than will listen to the counsel of a wise person.
Psalm 1:1-6
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...
Those who love their sin will surround themselves with those who will praise them in it, even encouraging them through constant validation of his lifestyle.
Wise people will bring blessing and growth to those who will listen to them Wicked people will bring ruin to those who enable and encourage sinfulness.
In recent years I run into many people who will say they are Christians but know little about the Bible, worse than that they don't want to know God's mind.
I have encountered people who declare decisively that they are against the killing of animals. These same people eat hamburgers at the fast food restaurant and turkey on the holidays but decry the use of them by others. This is called hypocrisy.
There have also been people who claim to be against killing animals while they are adamantly pro-abortion. These same people tend to be for gun control, claiming that guns are the problem.
It never works to have words alone. One can say they are against murder and allow for the killing of innocent babies who have done nothing to deserve this torturous means of unjust execution.
Some of these people are against smoking because it is bad for their bodies but will use drugs such as pot, which is smoking.
Then there are those who "say" smoking is bad for them but they keep doing it as though they are wise by saying so even though they will not quite. The truth is that a wise person quits what they know to be harmful.
The foolish person says something is bad but continues it. It has been my experience that those who "say" what they are going to do but never do it are lying. They think saying something makes them wise without any needed change in behavior.
There are many Christians who employ the tactic of speaking without actions. They think they will impress people with their words even if their words do not match their actions.
In our disordered and irrational culture right now this mentality of speaking and not engaging in change is acceptable. It is called encouragement when we praise someone up and down for merely saying something. This is not encouragement, it is in fact enabling.
Encouragement would be to expect the one who speaks to act what they speak.
Enabling is the way of this culture now. Correction is the new hate speech. Accountability is seen as mean and judgmental. Sadly, they do not understand that its the accountability and correction that helps those who are seeking solutions to make improvements and strides in their life.
Those who speak the things of God but will not obey Him, make no strides in holiness nor do they improve their life in general. In fact these people regress rather than grow. The further they regress the more hardened they become, even unable to hear truth and sensibleness.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
Proverbs 10:18-20 "…18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.…"
Ecclesiastes 5:3
"For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words."
Proverbs 13:3
"The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."
Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
These days we have more people listening to the counsel of fools than will listen to the counsel of a wise person.
Psalm 1:1-6
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...
Those who love their sin will surround themselves with those who will praise them in it, even encouraging them through constant validation of his lifestyle.
Wise people will bring blessing and growth to those who will listen to them Wicked people will bring ruin to those who enable and encourage sinfulness.
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Whitewashed Tombs! Walking Deadmen
That word "Whitewash" so perfectly describes what people do now. Not just with the gospel but with sin in relationships. It seems that everyone shrugs their shoulders in disinterest at the sin that is all around the every day.
Denise Fetter
This was written to Israel but is profitable for those wolves today calling themselves prophets and apostles:
Ezekiel 22:28
"Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD has not spoken.
Denise Fetter
This was written to Israel but is profitable for those wolves today calling themselves prophets and apostles:
Ezekiel 22:28
"Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD has not spoken.
Friday, November 23, 2018
Is It Really About Christ?
Go ahead and celebrate the holidays! Leave off all the pagan symbols and bobbles and then it might be true you are really making this time about Christ. Let's take a look at what we would have to remove in order to remove all pagan symbols.
"Yule festivities are a mixture of customs and beliefs going back many years before Jesus was born." Pagan Background of Christmas"
The Christmas tree: Decorated by early Germans as a celebration of the god of "odin." This was also used in tree worship.
Every one of these elements of modern Christianity came out of pagan worship and were added to Catholicism in order to entice the pagans to meld with Catholicism.
The mistletoe: associated with fertility rituals
Gift giving: associated with the Romans blessing their false gods.
The wreaths: The pagans used these as a symbol of fertility, they were place on the heads of people during pagan holy days.
Ornaments on trees were placed on trees outside to appease the gods.
Holly: associated with the god of winter to drive off evil spirits
The advent candles: in paganism the lighting of the candle was done in hope for the return of the sun in the spring. Apparently to the sun god.
The bows of holly: The pagans still assign power to the bows of holly in their ritual.
Santa Clause: a myth to promote gift giving by a false god
The elves: A type of human type supernatural being found in Germanic worship.
The Raindeer: the horned god of the pagans
The bells: announcing the number of days before the solstice
Having said all this, remember that there was only one celebration Christ gave us and it was to be done every time we come together, that is the Lord's Supper.
Luke 22:19 "…18 For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you."
1 Corinthians 11:20-34 Whenever you come together!!!
"Yule festivities are a mixture of customs and beliefs going back many years before Jesus was born." Pagan Background of Christmas"
The Christmas tree: Decorated by early Germans as a celebration of the god of "odin." This was also used in tree worship.
Every one of these elements of modern Christianity came out of pagan worship and were added to Catholicism in order to entice the pagans to meld with Catholicism.
The mistletoe: associated with fertility rituals
Gift giving: associated with the Romans blessing their false gods.
The wreaths: The pagans used these as a symbol of fertility, they were place on the heads of people during pagan holy days.
Ornaments on trees were placed on trees outside to appease the gods.
Holly: associated with the god of winter to drive off evil spirits
The advent candles: in paganism the lighting of the candle was done in hope for the return of the sun in the spring. Apparently to the sun god.
The bows of holly: The pagans still assign power to the bows of holly in their ritual.
Santa Clause: a myth to promote gift giving by a false god
The elves: A type of human type supernatural being found in Germanic worship.
The Raindeer: the horned god of the pagans
The bells: announcing the number of days before the solstice
Having said all this, remember that there was only one celebration Christ gave us and it was to be done every time we come together, that is the Lord's Supper.
Luke 22:19 "…18 For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you."
1 Corinthians 11:20-34 Whenever you come together!!!
We Can Get Though The Holidays in Peace
AND YES, it is possible to get through the holidays without celebrating anything at all. I enjoy the holidays, not because I do anything concerning them, but because I am relaxed, unencumbered and at peace for all the lack of meaningless activity.
My greatest joy is celebrating the Lord's supper, the only celebration Christ gave His children. There my joy is full and thee is great peace.
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
"23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number [d]sleep.
31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world."
My greatest joy is celebrating the Lord's supper, the only celebration Christ gave His children. There my joy is full and thee is great peace.
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
"23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number [d]sleep.
31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world."
The gods of Paganism
Let us not connect the holidays with Christ. It is a false gospel that uses Christmas trees and decorations to bring a message about Christ.
When an unbeliever sees all those decorations associated with "Christmas" they immediately associate those things with Santa Clause, the false god of Catholicism.
We should be celebrating Christ as the risen One not as a baby in the manger.
We should be celebrating the cross of Christ without a pagan "Easter" celebration.
God hates mixing his truth with pagan lies, its that simple.
Here is what a secular media, Wikipedia says about the holidays;
"Many popular customs associated with Christmas developed independently of the commemoration of Jesus' birth, with certain elements having origins in pre-Christian festivals that were celebrated around the winter solstice by pagan populations who were later converted to Christianity."
Even the seculars understand where these celebrations come from and are delighted for the culture to return to them.
Isaiah 1:13-15 "…13 Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me—your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. 14 I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts; they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.…"
My God has risen from the dead as fully God and fully man, He is no longer a helpless baby in a pile of hay, He is God and He is risen. The god of these pagan celebrations is not the God of the Bible
God is not pleased with claiming a holiday is about Him when within it possesses and endorsement of pagan practices.
And yes, this is radical thinking for most Christians. They make excuses about using pagan symbols to justify enjoying the "pleasures" of the season.
There are those who would claim these holidays are about Christ but their gatherings say nothing about Him except at the meal prayer. They do not meet around the Bible, prayer and worship, they pretend honor of God while perverting worship.
This is a hard teaching, most will not accept it because they are entrenched with extended family in these holidays. The truth of the matter is that anyone who decides to give up the holidays will be gossiped about, maligned and rejected for their commitment to truth.
There are many good people who have been raised all their lives with these holidays and cannot bring themselves to ask God. Many are saved, many love the Lord but remain deceived about these pagan celebrations that have been mixed with the name of Christ
When the name of Christ has been mixed with paganism it is no longer about Christ.
The word "Christmas' comes from the Catholic "mass", meaning to resacrifice Christ as every gathering. It is called "the sacrifice of the mass." Every time you use the word "Christmas" you are extolling the value of the Catholic mass.
If you believe your "Christmas" is not paganized, then perhaps you should evaluate the symbols and idols that are used during this time that negate God's Word.
ASK GOD! Do not come here to convince me of your belief about the Christmas season as good, just go to prayer. Any argument against what I have said to challenge one another to greater holiness, will be removed.
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me."
Habakkuk 2:18
“What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!"
It is possible that I would lose friends over this matter, it has happened before. I hope not, I must remain faithful to God above anyone else's feelings or traditions.
May everyone go to prayer asking God to reveal truth to them on this matter of pagan holidays.
When an unbeliever sees all those decorations associated with "Christmas" they immediately associate those things with Santa Clause, the false god of Catholicism.
We should be celebrating Christ as the risen One not as a baby in the manger.
We should be celebrating the cross of Christ without a pagan "Easter" celebration.
God hates mixing his truth with pagan lies, its that simple.
Here is what a secular media, Wikipedia says about the holidays;
"Many popular customs associated with Christmas developed independently of the commemoration of Jesus' birth, with certain elements having origins in pre-Christian festivals that were celebrated around the winter solstice by pagan populations who were later converted to Christianity."
Even the seculars understand where these celebrations come from and are delighted for the culture to return to them.
Isaiah 1:13-15 "…13 Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me—your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. 14 I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts; they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.…"
My God has risen from the dead as fully God and fully man, He is no longer a helpless baby in a pile of hay, He is God and He is risen. The god of these pagan celebrations is not the God of the Bible
God is not pleased with claiming a holiday is about Him when within it possesses and endorsement of pagan practices.
And yes, this is radical thinking for most Christians. They make excuses about using pagan symbols to justify enjoying the "pleasures" of the season.
There are those who would claim these holidays are about Christ but their gatherings say nothing about Him except at the meal prayer. They do not meet around the Bible, prayer and worship, they pretend honor of God while perverting worship.
This is a hard teaching, most will not accept it because they are entrenched with extended family in these holidays. The truth of the matter is that anyone who decides to give up the holidays will be gossiped about, maligned and rejected for their commitment to truth.
There are many good people who have been raised all their lives with these holidays and cannot bring themselves to ask God. Many are saved, many love the Lord but remain deceived about these pagan celebrations that have been mixed with the name of Christ
When the name of Christ has been mixed with paganism it is no longer about Christ.
The word "Christmas' comes from the Catholic "mass", meaning to resacrifice Christ as every gathering. It is called "the sacrifice of the mass." Every time you use the word "Christmas" you are extolling the value of the Catholic mass.
If you believe your "Christmas" is not paganized, then perhaps you should evaluate the symbols and idols that are used during this time that negate God's Word.
ASK GOD! Do not come here to convince me of your belief about the Christmas season as good, just go to prayer. Any argument against what I have said to challenge one another to greater holiness, will be removed.
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me."
Habakkuk 2:18
“What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!"
It is possible that I would lose friends over this matter, it has happened before. I hope not, I must remain faithful to God above anyone else's feelings or traditions.
May everyone go to prayer asking God to reveal truth to them on this matter of pagan holidays.
Freedom in Christ
There is such freedom in seeking Christ. Until one is broken and contrite they cannot understand the healing associated with the love of God to deliver us from our sin and worries. Notice I didn't say deliver us from our troubles! We can be delivered from sin and no longer worry right in the midst of our trials.
God doesn't always deliver us from trials, they teach us, but He will go through with us.
When we are all tangled up in human tradition and emotionalism we are inbondage to the wiles of the devil.
If the devil can keep us seeking good feelings continually he can keep us on a roller coaster ride without any hope of steadiness and courage.
It is in reasoning through things with our minds using God's Word as the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us. Yes there are good feelings associated with seeking Christ, but the feelings are not the objective, the truth is the real objective.
Feelings are a residual effect of stimuli, they are not truth often. We tend to think if something or someone makes us feel good then that thing or person must be good. If something or someone makes us feel bad then that person or that thing is bad.
Truth in the beginning of our search for God will make us "feel" bad. We feel bad because we are ashamed of our sinfulness. If we respond correctly in contrition desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ then that bad feeling leads us to cleansing and the good feeling that come from being cleansed by Christ are far more satisfying and lasting.
Freedom in Christ comes when we are broken over our sinfulness first. Then Christ comes to cleanse us from that sinfulness, the sinfulness no longer controls us any longer, while covering it in His blood.
After all that, Christ lives in us and continues to cleanse us of dead works and a prideful spirit.
1 John 1:8-10 "…8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us."
One cannot be cleansed without confession. God will not work in someone who will not admit there is sin in their heart.
Ezekiel 36:25
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols."
God doesn't always deliver us from trials, they teach us, but He will go through with us.
When we are all tangled up in human tradition and emotionalism we are inbondage to the wiles of the devil.
If the devil can keep us seeking good feelings continually he can keep us on a roller coaster ride without any hope of steadiness and courage.
It is in reasoning through things with our minds using God's Word as the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us. Yes there are good feelings associated with seeking Christ, but the feelings are not the objective, the truth is the real objective.
Feelings are a residual effect of stimuli, they are not truth often. We tend to think if something or someone makes us feel good then that thing or person must be good. If something or someone makes us feel bad then that person or that thing is bad.
Truth in the beginning of our search for God will make us "feel" bad. We feel bad because we are ashamed of our sinfulness. If we respond correctly in contrition desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ then that bad feeling leads us to cleansing and the good feeling that come from being cleansed by Christ are far more satisfying and lasting.
Freedom in Christ comes when we are broken over our sinfulness first. Then Christ comes to cleanse us from that sinfulness, the sinfulness no longer controls us any longer, while covering it in His blood.
After all that, Christ lives in us and continues to cleanse us of dead works and a prideful spirit.
1 John 1:8-10 "…8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us."
One cannot be cleansed without confession. God will not work in someone who will not admit there is sin in their heart.
Ezekiel 36:25
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols."
Thursday, November 22, 2018
His Will Not Mine...Seeking God!
I know many people who make their plans and never seek God about them. Over the years God has taught me through failure that the first thing He wants me to do is consult with Him on everything before taking any steps. Its amazing the miracles we have seen in our life when we have done this first. Our attitude must be His will not mine!
Isaiah 65:1 "1“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ to a nation that did not call My name. 2 All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people, who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,"
Isaiah 30:1-3 "1 Woe to the rebellious children, declares the LORD, to those who carry out a plan, but not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. 2 they set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in the shade of Egypt. 3 But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shadow your disgrace.…"
Isaiah 65:1 "1“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ to a nation that did not call My name. 2 All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people, who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,"
Isaiah 30:1-3 "1 Woe to the rebellious children, declares the LORD, to those who carry out a plan, but not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. 2 they set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in the shade of Egypt. 3 But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shadow your disgrace.…"
Irrational Thinking of the Liberals
The liberals are not able to rationally assess the problem in our country today. They spout mean and vitriolic words against those they disagree while teaching others not to be rude.
Hypocrisy is the monster that holds liberals and all rebellious people captive. They have no ability to reason with good sense because they are literally "hell bent" on manipulating and intimidating others who will not follow their ways.
Count yourself fortunate and blessed if God has given you the strength and resolve to follow Him instead of them.
Since liberals are thinking with one broken defective voice, that of the demonic forces in their heads, there is no way to reason with them. They are unreasonable people without a defense against the evil that holds them captive.
When the powers that be operate a city in such irrationality we can see foolish things that make no sense at all. Such as a flasher who will drive up to a coffee shack and expose himself while 10,000 naked bikers ride through the streets after obtaining a permit from the city to do so. But the city is angry and appalled that the flasher did what he did but laughing and jovial that the riders did what they did.
Personally I don't see any difference in the perverted acts except that the 10,000 bike riders can be seen by thousands of people and even children as they parade themselves through the streets.
A reasonable person might ask themselves why do those riders want to do this? The answer is simple, they are as perverted as the flasher at the coffee shack. Exobitionism has always been around, but back in the day it was condemned and those who did it would be arrested for indecent exposure as the flashers are today. But I suppose in our culture as long as the riders have a permit and claim to be "naturalists" they can get away with their perversion with full endorsement of the city officials.
This says a lot about he city officials, very likely they are involved in a form of perversion themselves and can justify it by allowing these riders to do their thing. Its a reasonable assumption.
Jude 1:7
"Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire."
1 Timothy 1:10
"The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,"
Those who approve of the immorality of others have immorality in their own hearts! No one can support that which is an abomination unless there is wickedness in the heart of the supporter.
Liberals are always hypocrites, they can never be consistent in their belief system.
Hypocrisy is the monster that holds liberals and all rebellious people captive. They have no ability to reason with good sense because they are literally "hell bent" on manipulating and intimidating others who will not follow their ways.
Count yourself fortunate and blessed if God has given you the strength and resolve to follow Him instead of them.
Since liberals are thinking with one broken defective voice, that of the demonic forces in their heads, there is no way to reason with them. They are unreasonable people without a defense against the evil that holds them captive.
When the powers that be operate a city in such irrationality we can see foolish things that make no sense at all. Such as a flasher who will drive up to a coffee shack and expose himself while 10,000 naked bikers ride through the streets after obtaining a permit from the city to do so. But the city is angry and appalled that the flasher did what he did but laughing and jovial that the riders did what they did.
Personally I don't see any difference in the perverted acts except that the 10,000 bike riders can be seen by thousands of people and even children as they parade themselves through the streets.
A reasonable person might ask themselves why do those riders want to do this? The answer is simple, they are as perverted as the flasher at the coffee shack. Exobitionism has always been around, but back in the day it was condemned and those who did it would be arrested for indecent exposure as the flashers are today. But I suppose in our culture as long as the riders have a permit and claim to be "naturalists" they can get away with their perversion with full endorsement of the city officials.
This says a lot about he city officials, very likely they are involved in a form of perversion themselves and can justify it by allowing these riders to do their thing. Its a reasonable assumption.
Jude 1:7
"Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire."
1 Timothy 1:10
"The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,"
Those who approve of the immorality of others have immorality in their own hearts! No one can support that which is an abomination unless there is wickedness in the heart of the supporter.
Liberals are always hypocrites, they can never be consistent in their belief system.
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Working is a Command From God
When you give to those who will not work. Or you give to those who work but will not manage their resources wisely, you are enabling them to remain poor as well as irresponsible.
Forget about what people will think of you when you say no to someone. Its not anyone else's business to decide what we should be doing.
Perhaps the greatest blessing we can give someone is to remove ourselves and allow their consequences teach them. The consequences God set up for them.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
Proverbs 26:15-16 "…15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. "
Proverbs 24:30-31 "30 I went past the field of a sluggard and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. 31 Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down.…"
So many people have many thorns in their lives because they chose not to do anything with their lives. They didn't consult God about His will for them, nor did they consult wise counsel from godly people to show them God's way.
Sadly so many godly people fear the judgment of others more than they care about what is good for those they want to help.
When we help people out of fear of what others will think of us, we are acting selfishly. The good of the lazy person should be more important to us than what anyone else thinks.
There is an old saying, I don't know who said it but it goes like this; "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
The welfare system in this country has created far more poor than it has actually helped. If we were to act in wisdom we would teach lazy people how to work and let them go hungry if they will not. Going hungry for a times teaches one to seek employment.
Psalm 128:2
"2 When you shall eat of the
Proverbs 12:11
"11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you."
We take away a person's dignity and fulfillment by not requiring work out of them."
Proverbs 18:9
"9 He also who is slack in his work
Is brother to him who destroys."
1 Thessalonians 4:11
"11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,"
Forget about what people will think of you when you say no to someone. Its not anyone else's business to decide what we should be doing.
Perhaps the greatest blessing we can give someone is to remove ourselves and allow their consequences teach them. The consequences God set up for them.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
Proverbs 26:15-16 "…15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. "
Proverbs 24:30-31 "30 I went past the field of a sluggard and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. 31 Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down.…"
So many people have many thorns in their lives because they chose not to do anything with their lives. They didn't consult God about His will for them, nor did they consult wise counsel from godly people to show them God's way.
Sadly so many godly people fear the judgment of others more than they care about what is good for those they want to help.
When we help people out of fear of what others will think of us, we are acting selfishly. The good of the lazy person should be more important to us than what anyone else thinks.
There is an old saying, I don't know who said it but it goes like this; "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
The welfare system in this country has created far more poor than it has actually helped. If we were to act in wisdom we would teach lazy people how to work and let them go hungry if they will not. Going hungry for a times teaches one to seek employment.
Psalm 128:2
"2 When you shall eat of the
Proverbs 12:11
"11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you."
We take away a person's dignity and fulfillment by not requiring work out of them."
Proverbs 18:9
"9 He also who is slack in his work
Is brother to him who destroys."
1 Thessalonians 4:11
"11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,"
Repentance Toward God and the Offended
The only one who can forgive an offender is God and the offended. Anyone else has no right to forgive an offense against someone else.
It is irritating to witness these court cases in which a murderer on trial who is not repentant is forgiven by family members. The perp cannot ask forgiveness of the victim because they are dead. The only One Who can forgive them is God.
We have no right to take on the offense of someone else and act like its ours to forgive.
It is offensive to me when a perp tells someone they are sorry about how they treated someone else but do not have the courage to go to the one they have offended.
Offenses are toward God and the one whom we wronged, no one else should be involved in that except to chastise the offender so they see their need for repentance.
Matthew 23:23-24 "23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."
It is irritating to witness these court cases in which a murderer on trial who is not repentant is forgiven by family members. The perp cannot ask forgiveness of the victim because they are dead. The only One Who can forgive them is God.
We have no right to take on the offense of someone else and act like its ours to forgive.
It is offensive to me when a perp tells someone they are sorry about how they treated someone else but do not have the courage to go to the one they have offended.
Offenses are toward God and the one whom we wronged, no one else should be involved in that except to chastise the offender so they see their need for repentance.
Matthew 23:23-24 "23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Using Pagan Symbols Validates Them
It is amazing how many "Christians" think its alright to use pagan symbols as long as its just about fun for them. Because they say they don't believe in them they have no problem using them. My question is if one doesn't believe in them then why not leave them alone and use other things not associated with paganism.
Just sayin!!!!
I suspect that those who love to be included and popular in the world do what the world is doing no matter what its meaning.
Matthew 15:14 "14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”"
Just sayin!!!!
I suspect that those who love to be included and popular in the world do what the world is doing no matter what its meaning.
Matthew 15:14 "14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”"
The Pagan Practices in the Church
The oils that were given to Jesus are not what is being used now and marketed as "essential oils." In the matter of "YOGA" why do they call it yoga in the church when they could just call it stretching. There is a very strong link to Hinduism and Yoga, the term Yoga comes from Hinduism and means "Yoga means "union". This can be taken different ways, but most commonly is taken to mean the union of the the individual, with the divine consciousness." The divine consciousness is the "god within", this is nothing to mess with even in ignorance.
Many cultic practices have come into the church to mock God even if the person doing them has been deceived into believing they are innocent.
The term "essential oils" is not used in the Bible, it is spawned from paganism and now is being adopted by Christians under the lie that this was done with Jesus.
Here is a quote from one site that is marketing these essential oils:
"A fantastic selection of Mortar & Pestles, Magical Herbs & Medicinal Herbs, Essential Oils, Oil Burners, Medicinal Teas & Ritual Tools for the spiritual and magical practitioner. Eclectic Artisans' goal is to ensure that we provide the highest quality Witchcraft & Wiccan Supply. Magical practitioners have used magical apothecary items for thousands of years for compounding, mixing and creating remedies for healing as well as used for spiritual & magical practice. Our selection of high quality hard to find apothecary items allows the practitioner to create and utilize age old healing techniques as well as to utilize these items to raise the vibration of their surroundings, as well as the vibration within themselves to promote healing and further well being. "
One tactic of the devil is to cause believers to use what the pagans are using and market it as innocent as long as we make excuses that its in the Bible. The Bible has been twisted to fit the paganism and the Christians are buying into it.
There is far more paganism going on in the modern church than one realizes. Most in the church have become used to these so called "innocent practices" that they have been fooled into accepting them.
If you were to research all the practices of the churches today you would be shocked at the number of things done that come straight out of paganism.
You have a choice, you can remain willfully ignorant or you can pray and research for yourself asking Christ to reveal the truth. Its up to you and its your choice.
Many cultic practices have come into the church to mock God even if the person doing them has been deceived into believing they are innocent.
The term "essential oils" is not used in the Bible, it is spawned from paganism and now is being adopted by Christians under the lie that this was done with Jesus.
Here is a quote from one site that is marketing these essential oils:
"A fantastic selection of Mortar & Pestles, Magical Herbs & Medicinal Herbs, Essential Oils, Oil Burners, Medicinal Teas & Ritual Tools for the spiritual and magical practitioner. Eclectic Artisans' goal is to ensure that we provide the highest quality Witchcraft & Wiccan Supply. Magical practitioners have used magical apothecary items for thousands of years for compounding, mixing and creating remedies for healing as well as used for spiritual & magical practice. Our selection of high quality hard to find apothecary items allows the practitioner to create and utilize age old healing techniques as well as to utilize these items to raise the vibration of their surroundings, as well as the vibration within themselves to promote healing and further well being. "
One tactic of the devil is to cause believers to use what the pagans are using and market it as innocent as long as we make excuses that its in the Bible. The Bible has been twisted to fit the paganism and the Christians are buying into it.
There is far more paganism going on in the modern church than one realizes. Most in the church have become used to these so called "innocent practices" that they have been fooled into accepting them.
If you were to research all the practices of the churches today you would be shocked at the number of things done that come straight out of paganism.
You have a choice, you can remain willfully ignorant or you can pray and research for yourself asking Christ to reveal the truth. Its up to you and its your choice.
Monday, November 19, 2018
Essential Oils the Practice of Witches
Essential oils have been used by those practicing Wicca in ritual and spell work, put one in touch with the invisible powers of the universe and to place a person into an altered state of mind that can empty ones mind while letting in demons.
Once again the devil is introducing into the mainstream society seemingly innocent practices that are deeply rooted in witchcraft.
These witches claim to bring healing in body and spirit as well as bringing wisdom and knowledge to those who use them.
Does this sound familiar folks? To assign physical and spiritual healing to anything or anyone other than Christ is to deny Him.
The favorite tactic of the devil is to fool people into thinking they are engaging in harmless feel good activities when in fact they are glorifying themselves and satan rather than Christ.
Satan did this in the garden when he told Eve she could be like God. All she had to do was think eating from the tree was just innocent and would even give her some knowledge that God was withholding from her.
The devil is using the same old tactics he has always used, he might say in someone's head, "don't worry, we'll just add the name of Christ to this pagan practice and that will make it alright. Or he might say, "You're too sensitive about the letter of the law, its just innocent fun." He may even say, "look how intellectual and smart you are that you have this special knowledge even God doesn't know about."
The devil loves to build pride in people to make them focused on themselves and their own perceived greatness, that way they will push God out of their lives and replace Him with the devils that come to dwell in them.
That old serpent is slimmy and sneaky, just when you think you have it all figured out he comes along and flatters, mocks and confuses his victims to bring them under his control and bondage.
One of the biggest tricks the devil uses is to make people believe these practices are in the Bible in some obscure way. Taking a verse out of context to make the point that using pagan things is actually in the Bible
Jeremiah 10:2-3 " 2 This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the pagans or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, although the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless; "
We are not to use the ways of the pagans nor are we to add Christ's name to them to justify them. God hates it when His people try to fit into paganism just to have something new to do and believe in.
Jeremiah 6:15-17 "…15 Were they ashamed of the abomination they committed? No, they were not at all ashamed. They did not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD. 16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: Where is the good way? Then walk in it and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ 17 I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’…"
Once again the devil is introducing into the mainstream society seemingly innocent practices that are deeply rooted in witchcraft.
These witches claim to bring healing in body and spirit as well as bringing wisdom and knowledge to those who use them.
Does this sound familiar folks? To assign physical and spiritual healing to anything or anyone other than Christ is to deny Him.
The favorite tactic of the devil is to fool people into thinking they are engaging in harmless feel good activities when in fact they are glorifying themselves and satan rather than Christ.
Satan did this in the garden when he told Eve she could be like God. All she had to do was think eating from the tree was just innocent and would even give her some knowledge that God was withholding from her.
The devil is using the same old tactics he has always used, he might say in someone's head, "don't worry, we'll just add the name of Christ to this pagan practice and that will make it alright. Or he might say, "You're too sensitive about the letter of the law, its just innocent fun." He may even say, "look how intellectual and smart you are that you have this special knowledge even God doesn't know about."
The devil loves to build pride in people to make them focused on themselves and their own perceived greatness, that way they will push God out of their lives and replace Him with the devils that come to dwell in them.
That old serpent is slimmy and sneaky, just when you think you have it all figured out he comes along and flatters, mocks and confuses his victims to bring them under his control and bondage.
One of the biggest tricks the devil uses is to make people believe these practices are in the Bible in some obscure way. Taking a verse out of context to make the point that using pagan things is actually in the Bible
Jeremiah 10:2-3 " 2 This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the pagans or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, although the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless; "
We are not to use the ways of the pagans nor are we to add Christ's name to them to justify them. God hates it when His people try to fit into paganism just to have something new to do and believe in.
Jeremiah 6:15-17 "…15 Were they ashamed of the abomination they committed? No, they were not at all ashamed. They did not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD. 16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: Where is the good way? Then walk in it and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ 17 I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’…"
Essential Oils and Sorcery?
I am convinced that the use of "essential oils" is not of God, it is associated with sorcery and witchcraft.
It is astounding how so many practices of the pagans are being reintroduced into our culture, even our Christian churches as "healing" substances.
Research the use of essential oils in witchcraft and see what you find. It may shock you.
I have been praying that God would show me why I have an aversion to these substances. The first thing I do when I have a sensitiveness in my spirit about a practice is ask God why I am feeling alerted or warned.
Those who sell essential oils use terms like "getting in touch with your life force" and "a deeper spiritual awareness", as well as "dream catchers." Other words used are "balance", "female energy", "highest potential", "energy alignment", "negative energy, "positive energy", "inner awareness" and many other terms that sound impressive but are not found in the Word of God anywhere.
There are those who have bought into many new age things recently, some of those are "animal rights", "essential oils", "Christian Yoga" as well as other practices that came directly out of paganism.
One of the tools of the devil is to take a pagan practice, Christianisze it as good for the body and mind and market it as harmless. It is important to saturate our minds with the word of God that we would be able to discern truth from very clever deception.
Our world is full of deception these days, so much so there is more deception than truth in most gatherings.
The day we decide we want truth more than anything else is the day we will ask the Lord to reveal to us anything and everything that is not of Him and replace it with His thoughts and His mind.
May each one reading this set aside their inkling to argue this point and begin to ask God. I will not entertain here any ideas that pertain to the benefits of these practices. God has warned me and I am attempting to warn others.
Jeremiah 10:2-3 "2 This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, although the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;"
It is astounding how so many practices of the pagans are being reintroduced into our culture, even our Christian churches as "healing" substances.
Research the use of essential oils in witchcraft and see what you find. It may shock you.
I have been praying that God would show me why I have an aversion to these substances. The first thing I do when I have a sensitiveness in my spirit about a practice is ask God why I am feeling alerted or warned.
Those who sell essential oils use terms like "getting in touch with your life force" and "a deeper spiritual awareness", as well as "dream catchers." Other words used are "balance", "female energy", "highest potential", "energy alignment", "negative energy, "positive energy", "inner awareness" and many other terms that sound impressive but are not found in the Word of God anywhere.
There are those who have bought into many new age things recently, some of those are "animal rights", "essential oils", "Christian Yoga" as well as other practices that came directly out of paganism.
One of the tools of the devil is to take a pagan practice, Christianisze it as good for the body and mind and market it as harmless. It is important to saturate our minds with the word of God that we would be able to discern truth from very clever deception.
Our world is full of deception these days, so much so there is more deception than truth in most gatherings.
The day we decide we want truth more than anything else is the day we will ask the Lord to reveal to us anything and everything that is not of Him and replace it with His thoughts and His mind.
May each one reading this set aside their inkling to argue this point and begin to ask God. I will not entertain here any ideas that pertain to the benefits of these practices. God has warned me and I am attempting to warn others.
Jeremiah 10:2-3 "2 This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, although the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;"
Sunday, November 18, 2018
You Cannot Just Choose to be a Better Person to be Saved
I have actually heard people say they were irritated that someone else had a monstrous story about how terrible they were before they were born again.
These person felt slighted that they didn't have such a story, their life was not that bad.
As I pondered what these people were saying I realized that they may not have wept over their sinfulness in order to come to Christ in brokenness. They couldn't figure out what was so bad about themselves that they could tell a good story about their salvation.
Perhaps these people who had no story to tell about their salvation and how wicked they used to be before they became born again, was because they never were broken, they never felt sinful and never thought there was a need to confess anything evil about themselves. In fact they are quite pleased with themselves for choosing to be better people. Sadly they don't understand that God must do the changing in us for it to be His work. If we are still depending on our own goodness to get to heaven we will miss the mark. Here is the proof:
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
I doubt that these people who didn't have a testimony about their own sinfulness could have ever been born again.
All of us who have been born again can openly and honestly say we were sinful, unworthy of God's love. We are no longer ashamed of the sin we lived because God cleansed us with His blood.
When we find ourselves with a wrong attitude or action we confess quickly to be cleansed and get back to obedience to Christ.
Perhaps if you think you have decided to be a good person for God, ought to read the word and become broken over your pride. As long as that pride remains to earn your salvation by choosing to be a good person, you cannot become born again To be born again one must confess their sinfulness, trust what Christ did to pay for your sins and ask Him to change you into a new creation.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Stop trying to save yourself, stop trying to pretend you are good and confess that pride to God.
These person felt slighted that they didn't have such a story, their life was not that bad.
As I pondered what these people were saying I realized that they may not have wept over their sinfulness in order to come to Christ in brokenness. They couldn't figure out what was so bad about themselves that they could tell a good story about their salvation.
Perhaps these people who had no story to tell about their salvation and how wicked they used to be before they became born again, was because they never were broken, they never felt sinful and never thought there was a need to confess anything evil about themselves. In fact they are quite pleased with themselves for choosing to be better people. Sadly they don't understand that God must do the changing in us for it to be His work. If we are still depending on our own goodness to get to heaven we will miss the mark. Here is the proof:
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
I doubt that these people who didn't have a testimony about their own sinfulness could have ever been born again.
All of us who have been born again can openly and honestly say we were sinful, unworthy of God's love. We are no longer ashamed of the sin we lived because God cleansed us with His blood.
When we find ourselves with a wrong attitude or action we confess quickly to be cleansed and get back to obedience to Christ.
Perhaps if you think you have decided to be a good person for God, ought to read the word and become broken over your pride. As long as that pride remains to earn your salvation by choosing to be a good person, you cannot become born again To be born again one must confess their sinfulness, trust what Christ did to pay for your sins and ask Him to change you into a new creation.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Stop trying to save yourself, stop trying to pretend you are good and confess that pride to God.
Boasting is a Sin
No one is better than anyone else. Those who have elevated themselves based on comparing themselves with others, will find out soon enough that they are nothing just like the rest of us when they begin to compare themselves with our Holy God.
2 Corinthians 10:12-14
"12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you."
Boasting about ourselves is frowned upon by God.
James 4:16
"As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil."
Jeremiah 9:23
"Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,"
Proverbs 27:2
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."
It is boasting to say such things as "I'm a good person."
Romans 3:10-11 "10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God."
Flattering others is equally as sinful as boasting.
Proverbs 29:5
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."
Proverbs 26:24-28
"Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
Proverbs 28:23
"Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue."
Job 32:21-22 l
"I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away."
2 Corinthians 10:12-14
"12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you."
Boasting about ourselves is frowned upon by God.
James 4:16
"As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil."
Jeremiah 9:23
"Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,"
Proverbs 27:2
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."
It is boasting to say such things as "I'm a good person."
Romans 3:10-11 "10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God."
Flattering others is equally as sinful as boasting.
Proverbs 29:5
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."
Proverbs 26:24-28
"Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
Proverbs 28:23
"Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue."
Job 32:21-22 l
"I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)